Tokyo Firm Strengthens Ties With Yerevan

ne man's love of Armenian culture is leading to growing economic ties between the republic and Japan.

Kazuro Imai's import/export company in Tokyo began doing business with Armenia through his Moscow office in 1985. Next month he will open a Yerevan office.

He signed a joint venture deal with Armenia's SPA Transistor Company in November, and is working with the Hrazdanmash Company in Razdan to produce television screens and monitors at the former defense factory.

Also in November, Imai and Co., SPA, and the Armenian Industry Association agreed to establish an association to promote business and cultural contacts between Armenia and Japan.

SPA's president has already visited the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Tokyo, the control tower of Japan's economy.

Imai is involved in a second-hand car service, a hotel, business school, and computer rental center in Armenia, as well as arranging exhibitions of Armenian art in Japan.

He believes a good market exists for Armenian jewelry, cognac, and medicinal herbs, but has had trouble convincing companies of the need for better design and packaging to suit the sophisticated tastes of Japanese consumers.

Imai signed an agreement with the republic's Supreme Council in Septem-

Cognac Bottles

ber to set up Japan-Armenia associations in Tokyo and Yerevan to promote technical, economic, and financial co-operation.

One political obstacle is the dispute over Japan's Northern Islands, occupied by the Soviet Union since World War Two. The Japanese Government has discouraged trade until they are retumed but President Gorbachev's visit to Tokyo next month, the frst by a Soviet leader, may lead to a solution.

Imai has studied Armenian culture in depth and plans to publish a history of the Armenian Church. He believes Japanese industry could benefit from the creativity of Armenian engineers and scientists.

Another Japanese company, Juki, had less success. It has ceased making sewing machines in Armenia and did not respond to interview requests.

(Research by Sonin Katchim in Tokyo)